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Submitted by Sumner School District No. 320
Proposition No. 1
NEW HIGH SCHOOL AND STADIUM IMPROVEMENT BONDS - $44,000,000
Official Ballot Title: Shall Sumner School District No. 320 issue no more than $44,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years, to construct, equip and furnish a new high school, and upgrade, modernize and improve the athletic stadium located at Sumner High School, and levy excess property taxes to pay and retire the bonds as provided in Resolution No. 9/99-2000?
Explanatory Statement: If approved, this proposition would authorize Sumner School District to issue up to $44,000,000 of general obligation bonds to construct, equip and furnish a new high school and upgrade, modernize and improve the stadium at Sumner High School.
The new high school would be located at Bonney Lake and relieve severe overcrowding at Sumner High School. Both schools would serve grades 9-12 and provide facilities including athletic fields for school and community use. A broad-based planning committee appointed by the Sumner School Board would make recommendations regarding educational programs and design for the new facilities.
Without voter authorization, there will be no funds to pay for the new high school at Bonney Lake and other improvements.
The bonds would mature within 20 years and be paid by annual property tax levies made in excess of regular property taxes throughout Sumner School District, not exceeding 65 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation or $65 per year for a $100,000 house.
Exemptions from taxes for the bonds may be available to homeowners who are 61 years of age or older, or disabled, and who meet income requirements set by state law.
Statement For:
Sumner High School isn't much different than the highways and freeways in our area - overcrowded. But while traffic problems will most likely continue, you can help reduce the congestion at Sumner School District's only high school.
As parents and taxpayers, we believe the reasons for supporting the new high school bond measure now before you are compelling:
A new high school will help reduce overcrowding.
More than 1,600 students crowd the hallways and classrooms of Sumner High School, a building originally built to house a maximum of 1,200 kids.
A new high school will increase student safety.
Maintaining a safe campus for students is much easier when there isn't overcrowding.
A new high school will eliminate the need for double-shifting.
Without a new high school, the school district will be forced to consider alternative schedules to manage the shortage of classrooms and facilities.
Help us to continue to make our community and our schools a great place to live and work. We urge you to vote "yes" for the new high school bond measure.
Statement prepared by : Shari Day Campbell and Mike Rutkosky
Rebuttal of Statement For:
Don't be manipulated into increasing the taxes you will pay for the next 20 years by more than 115% by threats such as double-shifting (alternate schedules). This school should be funded with the taxes we already pay. The state is constitutionally required to fund schools 100%. Instead we are being asked to fully fund this new school while the $10,000,000.00 the state is supplying is being pocketed by the school district for other things.
Statement prepared by : Brian C. Bernecker, Concerned Tax Paying Parent
Statement Against:
Education Should Be The First Thing Our Government Funds
The state has a $44,000,000,000.00 bi-annual budget. It's wrong to fund projects that are less important to society before schools get the money they need. It's wrong to only partially fund schools and then go to the voters for more money in the form of a bond levy. This is intentional, knowing the only way to get people to vote to pay higher taxes is to not fund the items that are most important to society.
Do you really like being manipulated that way? If not, Vote No!!!
Education Should Be Fully Funded From The Taxes We Already Pay
The district budget last year was $47,000,000.00 . After paying the base salaries for teachers, this leaves about $30,000,000.00/year for the district. The new school should be paid for from the budget.
You Should Not Be Manipulated Into Paying Higher Taxes
Tell the Government they already take enough of your money. Tell them to prioritize and fund schools first. Tell them you will not be manipulated.
Tell them, No!
Statement prepared by : Brian C. Bernecker, Concerned Tax Paying Parent
Rebuttal of Statement Against:
The Sumner School District budget numbers as noted in the Statement Against are incorrect. There are no excess funds to support school construction.
In response to the statement about priorities, we ask you to consider this: is it fair to deny local children a new high school because state government won't pay
for it? We don't think so.
Statement prepared by : Shari Day Campbell and Mike Rutkosky
Proposition No. 2
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER BONDS - $5,000,000
Official Ballot Title: If Proposition 1 is approved by the voters, shall Sumner School District No. 320 issue no more than $5,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years to construct and equip a performing arts center at the new high school, and levy excess property taxes to pay and retire the bonds as provided by Resolution No. 9/99-2000?
Explanatory Statement: If approved, this proposition would authorize Sumner School District to issue up to $5,000,000 of general obligation bonds to construct and equip a performing arts center at the new high school in Bonney Lake, but only if Proposition 1 passes.
The performing arts center would be a community resource for students and residents. It would be available for concerts, drama productions, community-sponsored arts and cultural events and meetings. The performing arts center would allow more events to be scheduled and provide a quality facility for the community. The performing arts center will not be built unless bonds for a new high school are approved.
Without voter authorization, there will be no funds to pay for a performing arts center at the new high school.
The bonds would mature within 20 years and be paid by annual property tax levies made in excess of regular property taxes throughout Sumner School District, not exceeding 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation or $10 per year for a $100,000 house.
Exemptions from taxes for the bonds may be available to homeowners who are 61 years of age or older, or disabled, and who meet income requirements set by state law.
Statement For:
Take a drive past Sumner High School on almost any given day and you'll see a lot happening around the downtown campus. That's because today's high schools are more than a place for classroom learning - they're a place for students, families and the community as a whole to come together for a variety of activities that enhance the educational experience.
From high school drama productions and band concerts to community-oriented events such as piano recitals and dance performances, a Performing Arts Center at the new high school will play host to many activities. And that is why we are asking you to support the ballot proposition for a new Performing Arts Center to be built along with the new high school.
Help create a wonderful new resource for the community of Bonney Lake. Vote "yes" for the Performing Arts Center at the new Bonney Lake High School.
Statement prepared by : Shari Day Campbell and Mike Rutkosky
Rebuttal of Statement For:
The supporters make a case for a Community Performing Arts Center but don't make the case of why it should be controlled by the school district. You will pay for all building costs but not own it. Cities in our area have community centers owned by the people. The revenues generated help keep city taxes down. The Art Center, School and Pool will increase the 20 year tax burden over 170% . Education should be first.
Statement prepared by : Brian C. Bernecker, Concerned Tax Paying Parent
Statement Against:
Education First
Less than 20% of our 7th grade children can perform at grade level. This is criminal! Money for schools should be used to educate our children so they can
compete in the job market. There are many things in life that would be nice but we have to prioritize. Education should be the first priority.
Schools Should Not Control a Community Performing Arts Center
A performing arts center would be a wonderful facility for the community. Such a facility should not be controlled by the school district. If the community is
going to pay for it, the community should own it, operate it and receive the money it generates.
Vote No for a school district controlled community performing arts center.
Statement prepared by : Brian C. Bernecker, Concerned Tax Paying Parent
Rebuttal of Statement Against:
The information about seventh grade academic performance in the Against Statement is inaccurate. For information about learning requirements for the school district, please call district administration at (253) 891-6000 .
As for the proposed performing arts center, it is important to note that such a facility is key to helping children learn in creative and proven ways. It also will be a facility that benefits the community as a whole.
Statement prepared by : Shari Day Campbell and Mike Rutkosky
Proposition No. 3
SWIMMING POOL FACILITY BONDS - $5,000,000
Official Ballot Title: If Proposition 1 is approved by the voters, shall Sumner School District No. 320 issue no more than $5,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 20 years to construct and equip a swimming pool facility at the new high school, and levy excess property taxes to pay and retire the bonds as provided by Resolution No. 9/99-2000?
Explanatory Statement: If approved, this proposition would authorize Sumner School District to issue up to $5,000,000 of general obligation bonds to construct and equip a swimming pool facility at the new high school in Bonney Lake, but only if Proposition 1 passes.
There is great demand for swimming pool facilities. A new pool at Bonney Lake would be used by students and community members. It would eliminate the need to bus students from the new high school to Sumner High School for aquatic programs. The pool would provide competitive and recreational swimming opportunities. The pool will not be built unless bonds for a new high school are approved.
Without voter authorization, there will be no funds to pay for a swimming pool facility at the new high school.
The bonds would mature within 20 years and be paid by annual property tax levies made in excess of regular property taxes throughout Sumner School District, not exceeding 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation or $10 per year for a $100,000 house.
Exemptions from taxes for the bonds may be available to homeowners who are 61 years of age or older, or disabled, and who meet income requirements set by state law.
Statement For:
Ask thousands of area children where they first learned to swim and you'll likely hear this response: the pool at Sumner High School.
But like the high school itself, Sumner High's swimming pool is booked solid, with PE classes, swim teams, swimming lessons and general public use. And with our community continuing to grow, it's important for Bonney Lake to have a pool of its own.
A new pool will make available more swimming pool use for our entire community and alleviate the need to transport students from the high school to downtown Sumner for PE and other sporting events. We urge you to support the ballot proposition now before you that will provide the necessary funds to build a swimming pool at the new Bonney Lake High School.
Statement prepared by : Shari Day Campbell and Mike Rutkosky
Rebuttal of Statement For:
The pool supporters are asking the taxpayers outside of Bonney Lake to pay for a pool for Bonney Lake. This is inappropriate. I remember learning how to swim at a local city community pool. If the taxpayers are going to pay for a community pool it should be a city facility. It makes no sense to teach a child to swim if they are going to drown in the market place. Education should be first.
Statement prepared by : Brian C. Bernecker, Concerned Tax Paying Parent
Statement Against:
Education First
Less than 35% of our 4th grade children can perform at grade level. This is criminal! Money for schools should be used to educate our children so they can compete in the job market. There are many things in life that would be nice but we have to prioritize. Education should be the first priority. Schools Should Not Control a Community Swimming Pool
A swimming pool would be a wonderful facility for the community. Such a facility should not be controlled by the school district. If the community is going to pay for it, the community should own it, operate it and receive the money it generates.
Vote No for a school district controlled swimming pool.
Statement prepared by : Brian C. Bernecker, Concerned Tax Paying Parent
Rebuttal of Statement Against:
The information about fourth grade academic performance is incorrect. We urge you to call the school district at (253) 891-6000 for complete and accurate information about test scores.
As for the new swimming pool, the district has clearly shown by its management of the existing pool at Sumner High School that such resources are an important part of the community - and are maintained for the benefit of the entire community.
Statement prepared by : Shari Day Campbell and Mike Rutkosky
"The Elections Department is not responsible for the factual or grammatical accuracy of for and against statements.
These statements are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked by any official governmental agency."
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